The Supreme Court of India has announced that it will begin the final hearing on the appeals related to the Godhra case on May 6 and 7, 2025. Fifty-nine people, including 27 women and 10 children, were burned to death, while 48 others were injured in the incident. The ground breaking hearing involves appeals filed by the Gujarat state government and several individuals convicted in connection to the case.

Bench Directs Submission of Detailed Compilations

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Rajesh Bindal will hear the case. The justices have also instructed senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing one of the convicts, to submit a revised compilation of his arguments by May 3, 2025.

According to the bench, this compilation should include specific details on the charges against the convict. Furthermore, the findings of the lower courts, and his legal arguments supported by relevant evidence should also be added in the compilation. “Heading-wise details on charges against the convict, the findings of the courts below and his arguments supported by materials on record to counter them”, Reports.

Furthermore, the apex court has also directed counsel for other convicts and the Gujarat government, which has filed a counter-appeal, to submit similar revised preliminary compilations outlining their respective positions.

Two Days Allocated for Initial Hearing

Justice Maheshwari stated in the court order that the hearing of this complex matter is expected to take at least two weeks. As an initial step, the court will dedicate the entirety of May 6 and 7 to this case. Justice Maheshwari further clarified that no other matters will be taken up on these dates unless specifically directed by the court. The bench has also instructed the registry to seek necessary orders from the Chief Justice of India to ensure the uninterrupted hearing.

“Hearing of this matter would require at least two weeks. First, we will take it up on May 6 and 7 for the whole day and no other cases will be taken on these dates unless specifically asked by this court,” Justice Maheshwari said in the order.

The Godhra train burning incident

The Godhra train burning occurred on the morning of 27 February 2002. Over 59 Hindu pilgrims and karsevaks returning from Ayodhya were killed in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat, India.The coach (S-6) of the Sabarmati Express caught fire. Meanwhile, the cause of the fire remains disputed.

The Gujarat riots, during which Muslims were the targets of widespread and severe violence, took place shortly afterward. The Godhra train burning is a highly contentious event in Indian history. In the aftermath, widespread and severe riots erupted across Gujarat.

The Gujarat Riots 2002

The 2002 Gujarat riots, was a three-day period of inter-communal violence in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The riots were triggered by an incident at a train station and led to significant casualties and displacement. Following the initial riot incidents, there were further outbreaks of violence in Ahmedabad for three months.

There were further outbreaks of violence against the minority Muslim population of Gujarat for the next year. According to official figures, the riots ended with 1,044 dead, 223 missing, and 2,500 injured. Of the dead, 790 were Muslim and 254 Hindu.

Legal Proceedings and Appeals

Following the incident, the Gujarat High Court in October 2017 upheld the convictions of several individuals while commuting the death sentences of 11 people to life imprisonment. The Gujarat government has since appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking the reinstatement of the death penalty for these 11 convicts. Simultaneously, several other convicts have challenged the High Court’s verdict upholding their convictions.

The Nanavati-Mehta Commission report

Following the incident several inquiries have offered differing perspectives on the cause of the fire in the train. The Nanavati-Mehta Commission, appointed by the Gujarat government, concluded in 2008 that the incident was a pre-planned act of arson by a large Muslim mob.However, the Banerjee Commission, instituted by the Ministry of Railways, suggested in its 2006 report that the fire was accidental.

Later, the Gujarat High Court deemed the Banerjee Commission’s appointment unconstitutional and dismissed its findings. Following this an independent investigation by a non-governmental organization was conducted. The organisation’s findings also supported the accidental fire theory.

In 2011, a trial court convicted 31 individuals, sentencing 11 to death and 20 to life imprisonment. It also acquitted 63 others. Subsequently, in 2017, the Gujarat High Court upheld the convictions in October 2017, but commuted the death sentences to life imprisonment. This set the stage for the current appeals before the Supreme Court of India.